Build-a-Partition

This modular partition system called ‘Cell’ by the Edelweiss Industrial Design studio allows you to custom-create a room divider in the shape, size and density that you need for that particular space. Thin boomerang-shaped strips of wood connect together and are easily arranged into regular or irregular patterns, giving you control over the transparency and look of the divider.

Plant-Like Plastic Room Divider

The ‘Algues’ room divider by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra is a flexible yet strong plant-like plastic creation that have 19 ring-like eyes at the ends of their branches. When viewed alone, the Algues looks like a decorative design element, but when multiple units are combined into one structure with plastic pegs, they act as an organic-looking room divider or privacy screen. This approach allows consumers to get involved in the design process.

Natural Tree Branch Divider

Simple, sleek and natural: this folding room screen by Natsiq Outdoor features towering tree branches attached to a lacquered stainless steel base. It acts much the same way a natural privacy screen of trees would, allowing in just the right amount of light and breaking up the space without closing it off.

Illuminated Room Divider

Why shouldn’t a room divider serve more than one purpose? This one by Superieur is also a light source, providing subtle, diffused illumination that would be perfect for mood lighting or to supplement reading light behind a seating area.

Nola Star Colorful Plastic Panel

The colorful Nola Star room divider can also be used as a curtain or wall panel. 20×20 cm transparent plastic panels are joined together with metal rings, allowing you to control the shape and size of the room divider as a whole. The columns can then be hung from conventional curtain tracks.

Recycled Modular Cardboard Divider

Nomad is a modular architectural room screen made of recycled double-wall cardboard in a rainbow of colors including a range of greens, grays, yellow, orange, red and white. The cardboard forms are assembled into free-standing, sculptural screens, temporary partitions or displays without hardware, tools or damage to existing structures.

Space Articulator Screen

If you prefer the modern aesthetic to traditional décor, hanging curtains as room dividers probably isn’t your style. With the ‘space articulator screen’ by Studio Lilica, you can get the same effect but in a way that’s crisp, minimalist and visually interesting.

Monica Forster Forest Room Divider

Like the natural tree branch divider featured above, this room divider takes a cue from nature to break up space while still allowing light to shine through. Stainless steel poles attached to a lacquered MDF base are covered in little circles of wool felt, giving the impression of leaves or blossoms on delicate stems.

Designer’s Eye Wall

This flexible and sound-absorbing screen system consists of felted wool with magnetic ends that make it possible to connect one Wall to another. When not in use, these walls can easily be rolled up for storage.

Abraxas Poseidon Room Screen

The Poseidon Room Screen by designer Glendon Good is a xylophone-like structure composed of 60 hand-cut aluminum tubes. The screen, which acts as a modern art sculpture as well as a divider, has been made a part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institution’s Cooper-Hewitt Museum.

Water Bottle Privacy Screen

Crafts made from recycled water bottles aren’t generally the prettiest things ever, but this installation of water bottles as room dividers is certainly an exception. Fittingly, this transparent room screen was created by Klein Dytham Architecture for the Danone company, which manufactures Evian and Volvic bottled water.

Toilet Paper Room Divider

You’ve got to store toilet paper somewhere, so why not create a wall of it to screen your toilet from the rest of the bathroom? One thing’s for sure: you’ll never run out, because you’ll always know exactly how many rolls you’ve got left. This example was designed by Gary Hutton and Timothy Gemmill for art collector Chara Schreyer’s pied-a-terre at Four Seasons Residences in San Francisco.

Fluid, Artistic Concept Room Divider

This futuristic-looking room divider by Sang Hoon Kim is more like a three-in-one: it’s also art and furniture. The unique curved shape allows users to perch among its nooks and crannies. Pictured is the prototype scale model; the designer is planning to make a full-sized version soon.

When I saw the “Algues”, I thought Ah HA! some other genius has the same plant.

Wish I could post a foto of the room divider my Bowiea volubilis has created on its own.

Had to re-pot and move to it’s own corner about 10 years ago because it got loose one winter when I wasn’t paying attention and grew thru my office Ficus. It was a toss up as to which plant would have to be hacked apart [the Fucus won]… I chopped the Bowiea v. back down to the bulbs and re-potted. Now the pot is splitting from the pressure of all the bulbs getting bigger. If left unchecked the Bowiea volubilis WILL cover an entire room in a year. Just add water.

Of note: Same amount of effort – plant or plastic: both need to be bathed occasionally to remove dust. “Algues” might be easier to live with cuz all you’d have to do is pull it down and dunk in a tub. On the other hand, then you have to put it all back together. The plant can be left in place, hosed down or sprayed once a year. It loves water tho, so be careful. a 10 foot tendril can emerge and open in 2 weeks. Don’t grow near window screens. Do it and you will know why.

Have a machete handy – it grows fast. If I ever have a website – I will post images. It is a marvelous, marvelous plant unless you are trying to grow food nearby.

DO NOT EVER put it outdoors where the bulbs OR THE SPITTING SEEDS can get loose. It could take over Texas. Not a bad idea. Hmmmmm.

Temporary WallsApril 6th, 2009 at 2:36 am

Great idea! Those dividers will definitely good looking. A very artistic design that divider lovers will get in love into it.

Every dividers has its own meaning and translation to every one who have different moods or ways in life.

Not a bad set, but i’m actually looking for one i saw some 15 or so years ago in a catalogue. Anyone seen a CD room divider? It holds your CD cases, creating a unique bit of art. This to me is a brilliant idea, since even though you can rip your CD’s to your computer, legally you have to retain the original discs, so why not turn what is now a paperwork into functional artwork?

Joan MannAugust 3rd, 2009 at 3:12 pm

Is there a catalogue? I only have interent access at the library and their hours are very limited. Please mail me a catalogue or brochure to
4 Spindrift Drive
Saunderstown RI 02874